Keithellakpam Sanatombi

Designation: Professor & Head

Specialization: Plant Biotechnology

Contact:

Email: ksanatombi [AT] rediffmail.com, ksanatombi [AT] manipuruniv.ac.in

M.Sc.(Panjab University);  Ph.D.(Manipur University)

Website: http://manipuruniv.ac.in/faculty/71

Faculty Details Faculty List

 

Curriculum vitae of Keithellakpam Sanatombi

 

 

1. Name and full correspondence address: Keithellakpam Sanatombi

   Department of Biotechnology,

   Manipur University, Canchipur, Imphal-795003

2. Email(s) and contact number(s): ksanatombi[AT]rediffmail.com, ksanatombi[AT]manipuruniv.ac.in

3. Professional Recognition/ Award/ Prize/ Certificate, Fellowship received:

1. Award of Merit by Panjab University Botanical Society, 2001

2. CSIR JRF–NET & SRF (2003-2008)

3. CSIR Research Associate (Oct., 2008- Jan., 2009)

4. SERB Fast Track Young Scientist (2012- 2015)

5. DBT Bio-CARE Women Scientist (2012- 2015)

6. Women Leadership in STEM Program (2024 cohort) conducted by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), in collaboration with Grand Challenges India (GCI), and WomenLift Health

 

4. Teaching experience:

1. Professor
   Department of Biotechnology, Manipur University, Imphal
   Period: 26 December 2023 - Present

2. Associate Professor
   Department of Biotechnology, Manipur University, Imphal
   Period: 5 March 2021 - 25 December 2023
    

3. Assistant Professor (S1–S3)
   Department of Biotechnology, Manipur University, Imphal
   Period: 5 March 2009 - 4 March 2021
    

4. Assistant Professor
   Moirang College, Manipur
   Period: 16 January 2009 - 4 March 2009
   
    

5. Interest / Research Area: In vitro secondary metabolite production and genetic profiling of plants

 

6. Publications:

 

Selected peer-reviewed publications

1. Devi, O.P., Sapam, R., Sanatombi, K. et al. Harnessing double-stranded RNA therapy targeting coat protein (CP), helper component-protease (HC-Pro) and viral protein genome-linked (VPg) for controlling chilli veinal mottle virus in Capsicum chinense cv. Umorok. Physiol Mol Biol Plants (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-026-01814-3

2. Singh, K. B., Mayengbam, M., & Sanatombi, K. (2026). Effect of ZnO and TiO2 Nano-Priming on Germination, Growth and Antioxidant Activity of Capsicum chinense Jacq. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 73(4). https://doi.org/10.1134/s1021443726602697

3. Sanatombi K. A comprehensive review on sustainable strategies for valorization of pepper waste and their potential application. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2025 Jan;24(1):e70118. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.701

4. Sanatombi, K., Kabita, K.C., Adhikari, A., Roy, D., Hossain, Z., Sharma, S.K. Identification of Differentially Expressed miRNAs and Target Genes in a Highly Pungent Pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.). J Plant Growth Regul (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-024-11399-4.

5. Devi, R.L., Devi, S.T. & Sanatombi, K. Hairy root culture of Strobilanthes cusia for the production and enhancement of indigo biosynthesis. Plant Cell Tiss Organ Cult 157, 62 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-024-02791-9.

6. Sanatombi, K. Genetics and evolutionary insights from Solanaceae genome sequences. Plant Syst Evol 310, 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-023-01883-x.

7. Sanatombi K. Antioxidant potential and factors influencing the content of antioxidant compounds of pepper: A review with current knowledge. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2023 Jul;22(4):3011-3052. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.13170.

8. Oinam Priyoda Devi, Susheel Kumar Sharma, Konjengbam Sarda Devi, Nitika Gupta, A. Ratankumar Singh, Subhra Saikat Roy, Richa Rai, Keithellakpam Sanatombi & Virendra Kumar Baranwal. First report of natural infection of Capsicum chlorosis virus (Orthotospovirus capsiciflavi) in Capsicum chinense and Capsicum frutescens from jhum groves of North East India. Journal of Plant Pathology (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42161-023-01524-9.

9. Devi OP, Sharma SK, Sanatombi K, Devi KS, Pathaw N, Roy SS, Chanu NT, Sanabam R, Devi HC, Singh AR, et al. A Simplified Multiplex PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Six Viruses Infecting Diverse Chilli Species in India and Its Application in Field Diagnosis. Pathogens. 2023; 12(1):6. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010006.

10. Sneha Yogindran, Manish Kumar, Lingaraj Sahoo, Keithellakpam Sanatombi &  Supriya Chakraborty. (2021) Occurrence of Cotton leaf curl Multan virus and associated betasatellites with leaf curl disease of Bhut-Jolokia chillies (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) in India. Molecular Biology Reports 48(3):1-10. DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06223-1.

11. Keithellakpam Sanatombi and Sanatombi Rajkumari (2019) Effect of Processing on Quality of Pepper: A Review. Food Reviews International 36(1):1-18. DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2019.1669161.

12. Sanatombi Rajkumari & K. Sanatombi (2020) Secondary metabolites content and essential oil composition of in vitro cultures of Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. Biotechnology Letters 42, 1237–1245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-020-02872-7.

13. Khaidem Chanu Kabita, Keithellakpam Sanatombi & Susheel Kumar Sharma (2020) Efficient enhancement of capsaicinoids biosynthesis in cell suspension cultures of Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. ‘Umorok’ by elicitors and differential gene expression analysis of elicited cultures. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 141, pages145–154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-020-01775-9.

14. Nganthoi, M.; Sanatombi, K (2019) Artemisinin content and DNA profiling of Artemisia species of Manipur. South African Journal of Botany, 125:9-15. DOI:  10.1016/j.sajb.2019.06.027.

15. Kabita, K.C., Sharma, S.K. & Sanatombi, K. (2019) Analysis of capsaicinoid biosynthesis pathway genes expression in callus cultures of Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. ‘Umorok’. Plant Cell Tissue & Organ Culture. 137(3):565–573; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-019-01591-w.

16. Rajkumari, S. & Sanatombi, K. Genetic Diversity Analysis of Hedychium Species Based on RAPD and ISSR Markers. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-0976-y.

17. Rajkumari S., Sanatombi K. (2018) Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Edible Curcuma Species: A Review. International Journal of Food Properties; 20(3): S2668-S2687.

18. Nganthoi M., Sanatombi K. (2018) Artemisinin production by callus and cell suspension culture of Artemisia nilagarica (C.B. Clarke) Pamp. International Journal of Scientific Research and Reviews; 7(1): 179-188.

19. Sanatombi, R. and Sanatombi K. (2017). Biotechnology of Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr.: A review. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 4:1-4.

20. Kabita K. C., Linthoinganbi N., Sanatombi K. (2015) Accumulation of Indigo in tissue cultures of Strobilanthescusia (nees) kuntze. International Journal of Information Research and Review; 2(12): 1496-1499.

21. Sanatombi, K., and Sharma G.J. (2012). In vitro regeneration of Capsicum chinense Jacq. Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy. Vol. 6 (1): 66-72.

22. Sanatombi K., Sen-Mandi S., & Sharma G.J.(2010). DNA profiling of Capsicum landraces of Manipur. Scientia Horticulturae 124: 405-408.

23. Sanatombi K. & Sharma G.J.(2008). In vitro plant regeneration in six cultivars of Capsicum spp. using different explants. Biologia Plantarum, 52(1): 141-145.

24. Sanatombi K. & Sharma G.J. (2008). In vitro propagation of Capsicum chinense Jacq. Biologia Plantarum 52 (3): 517-520.

25. Sanatombi K. & Sharma G.J.(2008). Capsaicin content and pungency of different Capsicum spp. cultivars. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 36(2):88-90.

26. Sanatombi, K., and Sharma, G.J. (2007). Micropropagation of Capsicum frutescens L. using axillary shoot explants, Scientia Horticulturae., 113(1): 96-99.

27. Sanatombi K. & Sharma G.J.(2007). Micropropagation of Capsicum annuum L. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 35(1):57-64.

28. Sanatombi, K., and Sharma, G.J. (2006). In vitro regeneration and mass multiplication of Capsicum annuum L. J. Food Agric. Environ., 4(1): 205-208

 

9. Book chapters published:

1. Devi , S. T. ., & Sanatombi , K. . (2024). A Recent Update on the Pharmacological Properties, Biosynthesis, Bioavailability, and Toxicological Effects of Zerumbone. Research Advances in Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 9, 50–58. https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ramb/v9/7260E

2. Devi, S.T., Sanatombi, K. (2023). Bioactive Compounds and Biological Activities of Curcuma Species. In: Murthy, H.N., Paek, K.Y., Park, SY. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in the Storage Organs of Plants. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-29006-0_19-1

3. Rajkumari S., Sanatombi K. (2018) In Vitro Production of Some Important Secondary Metabolites from Zingiber Species. In: Kumar N. (eds) Biotechnological Approaches for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0535-1_9. Springer, Singapore

4. Rajkumari S., Sanatombi K. (2016) Biodiversity and Conservation of Medicinal Plants. In: Medicinal plants and its Therapeutic Uses. Birla Kshetrimayum, OMICS Group eBooks, USA; pp 1-7.

5. Nganthoi M., Sanatombi K. (2019) “Biodiversity and ethnobotany of the genus Artemisia in Manipur” in Asha Gupta (ed.) Medicinal Plants- Exploration, Evaluation and Utilization: 1, 1-12, ISBN 978-81-7132-910-6. Pointer Publishers, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

 

10. Research Projects:

 

1. In vitro culture of cassumunar zinger (Zingiber montanum Koenig Link ex Dietr.) for secondary metabolite production
   Funding Agency/Scheme: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), BioCARE Scheme for Women Scientists
   Period: January 2012 - April 2015
   Role: Principal Investigator (PI)

2. In vitro culture of Strobilanthes flaccidifolius Nees. for indigo production
   Funding Agency/Scheme: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Fast Track Scheme for Young Scientists
   Period: July 2012 - July 2015
   Role: Principal Investigator (PI)

3. In vitro culture of Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. ‘Umorok’ for capsaicin production
   Funding Agency/Scheme: Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Agricultural Biotechnology
   Period: June 2013 - June 2016
   Role: Principal Investigator (PI)

4. Production of capsaicin from cell suspension cultures of Capsicum chinense Jacq. in bioreactor and enhancement with elicitors
   Funding Agency/Scheme: Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Core Research Grant
   Period: February 2020 - February 2023
   Role: Principal Investigator (PI)

 

11. Paper presented/invited/popular talks: 33

 

11. Number of Ph.D. Students guiding:     Four (4)

 

1. Ms. Sanasam Thoibi Devi, CSIR-JRF-NET (Registration No. 4202/19)

2. Mr. Berlin (Registration No. 4654/21)

3. Mr. Mutum Dingku Singh (Registration No. 4654/21)

4. Ms Margaret Yumnam (Registration No. 5651/25)

 

11. Number of Ph.D. Students guided: Five (5)

 

1. M. Nganthoi Devi, UGC-JRF-NET
   Ph.D. Registration No. 2993/12
   Title: DNA profiling and in vitro culture of some Artemisia species
   Status: Degree awarded, 25 September 2018.

2. Sanatombi Rajkumari
   Ph.D. Registration No. 3102/13
   Title: In vitro culture of Zingiber montanum (Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr.
   Status: Degree awarded, 2 April 2019.

3. Khaidem Kabita Chanu
   Ph.D. Registration No. 3412/15
   Title: Studies on the capsaicin production from in vitro culture of Capsicum chinense Jacq. cv. ‘Umorok’
   Status: Degree awarded, 21 November 2022.

4. Rajkumari Lunphasana Devi
   Ph.D. Registration No. 3693/17
   Title: Enhancement of indigo production in in vitro cultures of Strobilanthes cusia (Nees.) Kuntze
   Status: Degree awarded, 29 August 2025.

5. Oinam Priyoda Devi

Ph.D. Registration No. 3676/17

Title: Genetic elucidation of viral complexes of chilli from Northeast India
Status: Degree awarded, 26 September 2025.

 

11. B.Sc./B.Tech./M.Sc. project students (Guided): 41

 

11. Contribution towards conduct of MOOCs course:

    Nature of the Course	Duration (No. of learners enrolled)
    Course Coordinator for MOOCs course “Plant Biochemistry and Plant Biotechnology” (40 modules) on SWAYAM Portal	January-June 2019 (1692 students enrolled) January-June 2021 (1692 students enrolled) July-October 2024 (1128 students enrolled) July-October 2025 (1655 students enrolled)
    Course Coordinator for MOOCs course “Cell Biology” (40 modules) on SWAYAM Portal	July-November 2019 (3361 students enrolled) July-November 2020 (3718 students enrolled) January-June 2023 (2191 students enrolled) Jan. -May 2024 (2219 students enrolled) Jan. -May 2025 (2938 students enrolled) Jan. -May 2026 (3319 students enrolled)

12. E-content or MOOCs module/lecture (developed in 4 quadrants):

1. Chemical components of biological membranes

2. Organization and Fluid Mosaic Model

3. Extracellular Structures

4. Cytosol

5. Enzymes

6. Membrane Vacuolar system

7. Membrane Transport

8. Protein Trafficking, Ubiquitin Receptors and Protein Quality Control

9. Tumor Suppressor Genes and Oncogenes

10. Regulation of DNA replication

11. Nucleus: Structure and Function

12. Chromosomes and their structure

13. Cell Migration and Cancer Metastasis

14. Agents promoting carcinogenesis

15. Autophagy

16. Signal Transduction by Cytokine and Nuclear Receptors

17. Signal Transduction by G proteins

18. Nerve cell signaling

19. Study of mitosis in onion root

20. Study of plasmolysis and de-plasmolysis.

21. Introduction to Lab Safety: Micro pipette use, solutions, dilutions, and unit conversions

22. Concept of plant biotechnology

23. Micropropagation

24. Growth media, environmental factors and explants source

25. Callus culture and somatic embryogenesis

26. Somaclonal variation

27. Single cell and cell suspension culture

28. Embryo culture and plant organ culture

29. Biological nitrogen fixation

30. Cells

31. Determination of molecular size of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis

32. Eukaryotic cell organelles

33. Gene structurte and architecture, gene clusters

34. Nitrate and sulphate reduction and their incorporation into amino acids

35. Plant and animal cells

36. Plant growth and development

37. Plant hormones I: Introduction, biochemistry and mode of action of auxins

38. Plant hormones II: Gibberellins and cytokinins

39. Plant hormones III: Ethylene and abscissic acid

40. Control of gene expression

41. Genetic code

42. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

43. Repetitive DNA

44. Secondary metabolites I

45. Secondary metabolites II

46. Spectral analysis of DNA

47. Split genes, overlapping genes, transposons and oncogenes

48. Subcellular fractionation

49. Factors affecting in vitro culture

50. Requirements for plant tissue culture laboratory

51. Totipotency and morphogenesis

52. Plant genome organization

53. Molecular biology of biotic and abiotic stresses

54. Factors affecting in vitro secondary metabolite production

55. Hairy root culture

56. Germplasm conservation

57. To study about callus induction and plant regeneration

58. Cell suspension culture

59. DNA profiling using molecular markers

 

17. Memberships in Scientific bodies:

1. 1. Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), 2022-23; 2024-25

   2. Life Member, “Indian Science Congress Association”

   3. Life Member, “Society for Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology

   4. Life Member, “Society of Biological Chemist (India

   5. Life Member, “Environmental Mutagen Society of India”

   6. Life Member, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Association of India”

 

17. Editorial Board member: BMC Plant Biology (Springer Nature)

 

17. As a Reviewer: Reviewed manuscripts of the following international journals.

 

 

1. Annals of Botany, Oxford University Press

2. Annals of Agricultural Science, Elsevier

3. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, Elsevier

4. Brazilian Journal of Botany, Springer

5. Chemical Papers, Springer

6. Discover Biotechnology, Springer Nature

7. Discover Plants, Springer Nature

8. Biotechnology notes, Elsevier

9. Food Bioscience, Elsevier

10. Food Science & Nutrition, Wiley

11. Frontiers in Plant Science

12. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, Springer

13. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Elsevier

14. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Elsevier

15. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Springer

16. LWT, Elsevier

17. Natural Product Research, Taylor and Francis

18. Plant Cell Tissue & Organ Culture, Springer

19. Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology, Elsevier

20. Plant Gene, Elsevier

21. Plant and Soil, Springer

22. Waste and Biomass Valorization, Springer

 

17. Organizing Conference/Seminar/ Workshop/ Refresher courses:

1. Convenor: One day National Seminar on Recent Trends in Plant Biotechnology, September 22, 2022.

2. Member, Organizing committee, “2-Day National Seminar on Patenting in Biotechnology 25th to 26th April, 2025” Organised by IPR cell, Manipur University in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology, Manipur University.

3. As co-convenor: National Conference on Recent Trends in Biotechnology: a Multidisciplinary Approach, organized by the Department of Biotechnology, Manipur University, sponsored by CSIR and ANRF, from 9-10 February 2026.

4. Member, Organizing committee of 2-Day National Workshop on Bio-Innovation, Biomanufacturing, and Entrepreneurship organized by Manipur University in collaboration with BRIC-IBSD, Imphal, on December 19–20, 2025.

5. Program Coordinator for Two-Week Interdisciplinary Refresher Course in Biological Sciences, organized by UGC-MMTTC, Manipur University, Imphal, 4^th-17^th June 2026.